Affordable Elder Law Solutions: Alternatives for Legal Assistance When on a Budget

Article Summary

This article provides information on how to find legal help when an elder law attorney is not affordable.

Key takeaways:

  1. There are federal, state, and local programs designed to help low-income individuals with their legal needs.
  2. There are a variety of resources available for veterans, people with disabilities, and immigrants.
  3. There are lawyer referral services, city courthouses, and free consultations that can help individuals find legal assistance.

Introduction

As a family caregiver to an older loved one, you’ve likely encountered recommendations to consult with an elder law attorney for various reasons. But, what if you can’t afford one?

Attorneys are expensive, typically charging hundreds of dollars per hour for their services. In fact, a recent report revealed that between 40-60% of middle-class families – and a whopping 80% of low-income individuals – can’t afford the legal assistance that they need.

So, what are your options? Luckily, you have several.

Eldercare attorneys cover a wide range of specialties. Let’s start by looking at what elder law attorneys do and then get into how to find legal assistance in these areas on a tight – or non-existent – budget.

What Do Elder Law Attorneys Do?

Elder law attorneys (sometimes called elder care attorneys) assist older adults and their families with a wide range of legal challenges common to the aging population.

Areas in which elder care attorneys specialize include:

  • Estate planning (wills, trusts, power of attorney documents)
  • Advance directives (living will, POA for Healthcare)
  • Social Security or disability benefits
  • Guardianship and conservatorships
  • Long-term care planning
  • Medicaid planning
  • Elder neglect and abuse
  • Financial exploitation

Elder law attorneys tend to be familiar with resources relevant to their clientele and are often skilled at helping seniors and their families navigate difficult decisions inherent in their areas of specialty.

Author Bio

Laura Herman is an elder and dementia care professional who advocates for better senior care in America. This article has been reviewed by TJ Falohun, co-founder and CEO of Olera. He is a trained biomedical engineer and writes about the cost of healthcare in America for seniors.

Talk to an advisor

Avatar

Need help caring for an elder loved one? We've got you covered.

  • Free consultation with a Senior Advisor
  • Compare pricing for senior services
  • Comprehensive planning for you loved one
or call us directly at 1-800-22-OLERA

Find Financial, Legal, & Other Services for your loved one

Read more

Complete Guide to Advance Care Planning for Family Caregivers

Complete Guide to Advance Care Planning for Family Caregivers

Added: Apr 5, 2024
6 min read
Last modified: Apr 5, 2024
Advance care planning is the process of learning about what kinds of medical decisions may need to be made in the future, preparing for them, and communicating one’s wishes to others.
Learn more
Types of Senior Care - Find the Best Care for Your Elderly Loved Ones

Types of Senior Care - Find the Best Care for Your Elderly Loved Ones

Added: May 31, 2023
5 min read
Last modified: Apr 22, 2024
Whether your loved one needs skilled medical care or just a little help in a home-like setting...
Learn more
Paying for Senior Care - Exploring Financial & Assistance Options for Senior Living

Paying for Senior Care - Exploring Financial & Assistance Options for Senior Living

Added: Jun 1, 2023
5 min read
Last modified: Apr 21, 2024
Aside from using personal savings, other ways to pay for long-term care include various...
Learn more